Steam-engine



H. W. MAY.

STEAM ENGINE. APPLICATION mm. ms. 2 o, 19:9.

2 SHEETS-SHEET lmomma Patented Mar. 23,1920."

H. w. MAY. STEAM ENGINE. I I Af-r ucmon' men m. 20. 1919. 1,334,665. r Patented Mar. 23,1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- "IJUIILIQ'ZZWI "I 9 J ll anon 06oz Eomce f /f] HORACE W. MAY, F OROSI, CALIFORNIA.

STEAIVLENGINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 23, 1920.

Application filed February 20, 1919. Serial No. 273,149..

To all whom it may concern lie it known that 1, Holmes MAY, a citizen of the United States, residing at ()rosi, in the county of Tulare and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Steam-Engines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to rotary steam engines and more particularly to the construe tion of a stationary and a movable element arranged so that the force of the steamacts withthe stationary element to impart rotary movement to the movable element whereby the latter may be employed as a power distributing means.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a steam engine ofthe rotary type arranged somewhat in the manner of a large pulley or wheel the outer portion of which forms a casing adapted to revolve by the force exerted by the steam within the casing, which. by virtue of the inner construction of the device acts at certain intervals on pressure-receiving-surfaces whereby the rotary movement is continued while the steam is supplied to the device.

The invention further aims to provide a rotary steam engine which will be extremely simple in construction and have the parts arranged so that they automatically operate durin the rotary movement of the device so that tie usual piston slide valves, and other similar structures common to ordinary steam engines are avoided.

A further object ofthe invention is to provide a device of this character which consists of comparatively few parts and is simple in construction but durable and well adapted to withstand the rough usage to which devices of this character are ordinarily subjected.

For a full description of the invention and the advantages and merits thereof, reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of the device constructed in accordance with my invention, and showing one of the side plates of the casing removed, to more clearly disclose the interior structure.

Fig. ,2 is a section taken substantially on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the device, parts being broken away to more clearly disclose the operative structure.

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary section. of a portion of the device.

The axle 1 is stationary and has a central longitudiinil passage-way 2 through which steam from a suitable source of supply is passed. ltigidly attached to the axle 1 so that it will be held stationary is a cam member 3 which, 111 the present form comprises the two cams 4: and 5. These cams 4 and 5 are preferably integrally formed with a sleeve wh ch forms a part of the cam member 3 and which is securely fastened or keyed to the axle 1. A casing entirely embraces the cam member and is arrangedto rot-ate on the shaft 1. and this casing comprises the central wall 6 which is of circular formation and is disposed between the two cams i and 5 and has its outer marginal edge lntegrally formed with the annular wall 7 which incloses the cams a and 5. The ends of the annular wall 7 are provided with flanges through whichfastening elements 8 are extended for receiving the end walls 9 and 10 whereby the latter may be securely fastened to the wall 7 to complete the casing and forming a unitary structure adapted to revolve on the shaft. Each cam 4; and 5 is of substantially semicircular formation, while one side face is flat and in engagement with the central wall 6, the outer face being formed to provide the cam surface. A relatively narrow fiat portion 11 is formed at the center of the cam member as shown in Fig. 1, this being the thickest and widest portion of the cam member, from this point, the surface recedes toward the opposite ends of the cam member so that a wedge like form is provided at each end of the cam member thereby providing the cam surface on the outer side of the cam member. The cam members at and 5 "are identical in formation and each operates in its separate chamber embraced by the adjacent walls of the casing. It will be obvious that any number of cams may be provided, it simply being necessary to increase the size of the casing so that more chambers are provided. In each of the walls 9 and 10 is a recess 12 adapted to receive a pivoted closure plate 13 which is shaped tofit snugly within the recess 12 at certain intervals during the operation of the device. This arrangement is shown to advantage in Fig. 4 of the drawings and it will be noted that the closure plate in the wall 10 is not in transverse alinement with the closure plate in the wall 9 and the purpose of this arrangement will presently appear. Spring elements 14 are provided within the recesses for the purpose of urging the closure plates outwardly so that they will spring to their operative positions at the proper intervals. The central wall 6 at diametrically opposite points is provided with a latch member 15, pivotally mounted as indicated at 16 and movable in an opening 17 formed in the wall 6. This latch has two stop members 18 and 19, the stop member 18 being adapted to engage the closure member 13 at one side while the stop member 19 is adapted to engage the closure member 13 at the opposite side. The arrows in Fig. 4 indicate that the walls 6, 9, and 10 move in the direction indicated with respect to the cam members a and 5. The latch members 15 are preferably arranged in pairs as shown in Fig. 2 so that the closure members 13 will be engaged at points near their upper and lower ends thereby preventing distortion or bending of the closure plates when the pres sure of steam is exerted against them. As

the rotary casing turns, the edge of the cam member 5, as indicated in Fig. 4 will press the latch member inwardly thereby disengaging the stop member 18 from the adjacent closure plate 13 and at the same time forcing the stop member 19 into the opposite chamber, this stop member having, by this time passed the end of the cam member f so that the stop member 19 may project into the compartment for engaging the closure member 13 at the opposite side. When the mechanism has moved beyond the point indicated in Fig. 1, the closure member 13 on the wall 9 will be permitted to swing to full position because it will have passed the cam member 4 and the stop member 19 will be protruding into the chamber. The steam passage 2 in the aXle is connected by the radial passageways 20 and 21 through the cam members 4: and 5 respectively and these passage-ways communicate with the open ports 22 and 23 so that the steam is permitted to be ejected into the chambers for engaging the closure plate 13 whereby a pressure is exerted to force the rotary member in the direction indicated by the arrows. As this member moves it carries the closure plate 13 with it and therefore the opening and closing of the closure plate is entirely automatic and the action of the latch member 15 will cause the abutment members 18 and 19 to be properly disposed in their positions at the proper time for engaging the closure members as the latter open and close.

' The foregoing description and accompanying drawings have reference to what might be considered to be the preferred or approved form of my invention. I desire it to be understood that I may make such changes in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts, materials, dimensions,

et cetera, as may prove expedient and fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus fully described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:-

1. An engine comprising a rotary casing of circular formation provided with a central wall and end walls, for forming separate compartments, a stationary shaft supporting the casing and provided with fixed cam members, one being received in each compartment, each cam member comprising a. substantially semi-circular member having a cam surface at one side thereof, a hinged closure mounted on each end wall and projecting into the said compartments and adapted to engage the said cam surfaces to be opened and closed thereby, and means to maintain the said closure in position transversely of the said compartment when out of engagement. with the said cam members.

2. An engine comprising a rotary casing of circular formation provided with a central wall and an end wall for forming separate compartments, a stationary shaft supportin the casing and provided with fixed cam members, one being received in each compartment, each cam member comprising a substantially semi-circular member having a cam surface at one end thereof, a hinged closure mounted on each end wall and projecting into the same compartments and adapted to engage the said cam surfaces to be opened and closed thereby, a plurality of slots provided in said central wall, a plurality of latches pivotally mounted within said slot, whereby the said closure may be maintained in a position transversely of the said compartment and out of engagement with the said members.

3. An engine comprising a rotary casing of circular formation provided with a central wall and end walls, for forming separate compartments, a stationary shaft supporting the casing and provided with fixed cam members, one being received in each compartment, each cam member comprising a substantially semi-circular member having a cam surface at one side thereof, a hinged closure mounted on each end wall and projecting into said compartment and adapted to engage the said cam surfaces to be opened and closed thereby, said central wall provided with a plurality of slots, a plurality of latches pivotally mounted within said slots, said latches provided with socket members for engaging the closure member.

In testimony whereof I ailix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HORACE MAY. lVitnesses:

J. R. LEDBETTER, Cnnsrnn Lewis. 

